DIXFIELD – The power of prayer was elevated Friday afternoon from hundreds of churches around the world, including the Dixfield Congregational Church.

Nearly 100 women and a sprinkling of men gathered at the church on the hill to celebrate the 117th annual World Day of Prayer with scripture, music and art and artifacts from this year’s featured country, Panama.

The festive day brings Christian churches of all denominations together to give thanks, ask for courage, pray for forgiveness and to fellowship with one another.

This year’s theme, In Faith, Women Shape the Future, was echoed in the Old Testament scriptures when God determined that a woman could inherit her father’s property if there was no son, and in the writings of the Panamanian women who use cheerfulness and cordiality to slowly make changes to their lives, rights and culture.

Pottery, symbolizing the molding of common materials into something useful, colorful paintings of Panamanian scenes, and a bright, stuffed toucan perched on a wall, contrasted with the traditional New England stained-glass windows and interior architecture of the church.

Marcella Miller, a member of St. Athanasius and and St. John Catholic Church in Rumford, said the service gives her a chance to mingle with other church members. Friday’s service also held another special meaning.

“It’s a gathering of all countries asking for help to conquer iniquities,” she said.

United Methodist Church member Pauline Farwell was in the choir, which had representatives from all eight local churches that participated.

“It’s a wonderful day because it brings the world together,” she said.

“It also brings all the churches in our own area together,” added Dot Wing, another United Methodist Church member in the day’s ecumenical choir.

Nancy DeMilner, a member of the host church and lead speaker, said the service is especially powerful because it brings women of all different faiths together to say the same prayers at the same time.

She said hearing the Panamanian women’s viewpoint might make others be more cheerful and cordial in asking for what they want.

“Sometimes women in power become stern and tough and less cordial. You won’t lose power just because you’re being nice,” she said.

Each year, a new country is selected by the worldwide organization, Church Women United, to write a service using their own culture and language to share with the rest of the world.

And each year, one of the churches in the River Valley hosts the World Day of Prayer.

“Women are a wonderful force around the world. We can effect a positive change,” said Diane Ray of Canton, another service participant.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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